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1.0 Purpose Statement <br /> The purpose of the Community Athletics Programs Non-Discrimination Policy (the <br /> "Policy") is to help ensure that with regard to gender, the City of Everett Parks and <br /> Recreation Department (the "Department") and third parties providing community <br /> athletics/sports programs at Department facilities expand and support equal participation <br /> in community athletics programs and provide equal access to Department facilities that <br /> support such programs. <br /> The principles, goals, strategies,policy distribution, and policy administration contained <br /> in this Policy will guide the Department's actions with respect to gender. <br /> 1.1 Policy Intent <br /> The intent of this Policy is to achieve the following: <br /> a) expand and support equal participation in community athletics/sports <br /> programs; and <br /> b) provide all community athletics/sports programs equal access to Department <br /> facilities. <br /> 1.2 Background <br /> Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 to the 1964 Civil Rights Act bans <br /> discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program or activity that <br /> receives money from the federal government. The most prominent and well <br /> known application of this law has been in the arena of high school and collegiate <br /> sports programs. <br /> Outside of the formal structure of high school and collegiate sports programs, <br /> individuals participate in a variety of community, private-non-profit, and private- <br /> for-profit athletic programs, most of which utilize facilities provided by the public <br /> sector. The public sector has increasingly sought to evaluate the state of gender <br /> equality with respect to programming and facility use. These evaluations include, <br /> for example, facility condition, equipment quality, practice and game scheduling <br /> comparability, and the experience level of coaches. <br /> The National Recreation and Parks Association(NRPA)has recognized the <br /> important role that parks and recreation agencies play in promoting gender equity <br /> with respect to its members' facilities and recreation programs. As such,NRPA <br /> "encourages park and recreation agencies to ensure that facilities are developed <br /> and programs are implemented so they meet male and female recreation needs." <br /> NRPA has also encouraged policymakers to "provide facilities and services to <br /> achieve the statutory objectives of Title IX: providing both female and male <br /> athletes with equitable opportunities to participate and access to quality services <br /> and treatment." <br /> Responding to the call for action,the Washington State Legislature passed <br /> Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5967,with the vocal support of the Washington <br /> Recreation and Parks Association,the American Civil Liberties Union of <br /> 3 <br />